Bhopal, Oct 28: Karuna Shukla claimed that BJP leaders allegedly had tortured her mentally. Hence she was forced to quit the party which once was led by her uncle Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In a shocking development, Shukla now joined Congress.

Speaking about her decision, Shukla said, "The party organisation has been taken over by those in power. I was continuously neglected in the party due to which I am deeply hurt."

"I feel that the BJP in Chhattisgarh was mentally torturing me because of which I felt that my usefulness to the party had come to an end," she added.

"Every party worker has a right to ask for an election ticket but not much importance can be attached to whether he gets it or not," said Shukla, also a former national president of BJP Mahila Morcha.

She alleged that she was removed from all posts that she had in the party and was not consulted for anything. Ms Shukla said that she was very sad at quitting the BJP but because the manner in which the party "treated" her, she was forced to leave it.

She alleged that she was removed from all posts that she had in the party

The ticket could never be an issue for her as she had become an MLA in 1993 and a MP in 2004, she said. The former MP said she had spent five days seeking a meeting in New Delhi with BJP president Rajnath Singh, but he could not find the time to meet her.

"I can understand that he can be busy but at least he should have replied to my phone calls," Ms Shukla said. She said it was strange that the BJP did not treat her gracefully although she had served the party for more than 30 years.

Shukla's resignation from the party may bring more trouble for ruling BJP government in Chhattisgarh which is going to hold assembly election. The election in the state will be held in two phases. will be held in two phases. While the first one will be held on Nov 11, the second one will be held on Nov 19. Results will be declared on Dec 8.